I love to antagonize people. I guess it's just in my nature. Well I posted another little message on the Helmet Law Defense League's guestbook and I'm sure I'll get at least a few nasty responses. Here is what I posted:

"Just thought I'd let everyone who works on and visits this site that the HLDL's Senior Deputy Director, Dick Quigley, has been a naughty little boy lately. Let’s just say that Dick isn't a very nice guy. He actually suggested that I commit suicide. That isn't very nice. But then again, he is telling lots of people to do the same thing by recommending riding without a helmet. Oh well, old habits die hard I guess. I just hope that when the leadership of this League fights their battles with state and federal legislators that they do it with a little more finesse than this guy. If not, your cause is in a lot of trouble. If you let Dick do it, he’ll yell, “Well fuck you and fuck your law!!” or something equally colorful. Just go to my site listed above and go to my Helmet Issues page to see what a nasty boy he is. Later, Dick."

I'm sure it won't be long before I get a good bashing over this one. Let's just wait and see, shall we. See ya soon.

Well I was right. Barely a day had passed since I posted my message and Dick replied. Not directly to me, but on his own site. Apparently, he had to protect his pride, or perhaps his image which he seems to hold so highly. Here was the posting he placed directly below mine:

Poor "red" . . . he just can't seem to get any attention any other way than to cruise around the internet smearing his shit all over the place. We've concluded he's probably brain damaged. Yes, I did recommend, as a service to his fellow man, that he "consider the concept of rational suicide" but that's only because we couldn't find his mother to suggest a post-natal abortion (just imagine the shame that woman must bear having such a son, assuming it is a son). -quig

I hardly think what I spread is "shit", but hey, opinions vary, as I stated in my reply:

Poor me? Poor me? I'm not the delusional one. I'm not the one spreading your ineffectiveness of helmets propaganda. I'm not the one whining and crying cause big brother thinks he knows better than I do. I'm not the one who keeps his bike in the garage or parking lot because some silly law tells me I have to wear a helmet. I am a motorcyclist, and the truest kind. I ride for the enjoyment of the ride, the freedom of the open road, and the thrill of leaning my bike into steep angles to tear into corners at break-neck speeds. I ride because it’s fun. I don't ride for image, prestige, or to fit in to some group. I don't even ride with the bikers in the town I live in because they ride like idiots (though I will give them some credit. They all wear helmets (even without a helmet law), jackets, gloves, denim pants, and boots.) They understand the risks and take protective measures to prevent and/or limit personal injury. However, most of those who believe in your cause only do so because to them helmets go against the image they are trying to achieve, not infringement upon their freedoms, regardless of what they may think or tell you. Deep down, it’s all about image.

To respond to Scott below, the government requires you to purchase insurance when you buy a car and/or a motorcycle. Where is your fight against that? It’s the same principle, so shut-the-hell-up!

I'm a man of logic. Logic tells me, and most TRUE motorcyclists, that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous, and it is. There a lot of stupid, inattentive, and under-skilled automobile drivers out there. I wear a helmet (amongst other protective gear) because of them, and always will, regardless of the law.

Oh, and how childish are you to resort to the time honored, if not cliché, "Yo Momma" rejoinder. Well if you can be childish, so can I. You started this! I made a broad generalization. I stated an opinion, and a popular one contrary to what you may believe, of which I am entitled to, however harsh. You have your opinions, and I have mine. I made a statement based on my experience with lidless riders I've seen scraped off the road or watched wreck. You retort with your silly argument over the possible misuse of one word with statements that aren’t even yours and then have the nerve to insult me because I hurt your feelings. Aw, poor baby. If you are insulted by anybody calling you and idiot when you think you are right (which you are not), than you are truly an idiot. Your buttons are too easily pushed. I love a good argument and you have failed to offer me this. All you offer is conjecture, incomplete statistics, excuses, and insults. You and your whole cause can go to hell. You can fool city hall, but you can’t fool me. And once again, I will not go away.

Red.

Ding-ding-ding. Fight is over. Can't know for sure, but I am pretty confident that it is. I posted my little speech above yesterday (20 Aug 03) and when I went back today looking for any responses, they took it off. HA!! How funny is that? Well, maybe not funny. Maybe the truth hurt a little too much. Keeping the truth on their site might detract from their cause, and Lord knows that they can't give their supporters the truth, that would be bad. Well regardless I think I made my point. As my favorite TV personality Stewie says, "VICTORY IS MINE!!"

I will post it again. I'll let you know what happens.

Back to Road Rash.